Music, films, series and games are now mainly on the internet, and each area has its platforms. It is easy for both young and old to get lost in the names. Let us make an overview: what the individual services are, what they are for and what to watch out for with subscriptions.

What streaming and a subscription are

Streaming means you do not own the content but pay for access to it, usually with a monthly fee. You do not download anything permanently, you just play what you want over the internet. You need a connection and your own account. Most services can be cancelled at any time.

Music and podcasts

  • Spotify is the best-known service for music, podcasts and audiobooks. It has a free version with ads and a paid one without them.
  • Apple Music and YouTube Music are similar alternatives.
  • Audible specializes in audiobooks.

Films and series

  • Netflix is the best-known service for films and series.
  • Disney+ offers cartoons, Marvel and Star Wars.
  • Max (formerly HBO), Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ are other large libraries of films and series.
  • Among local services, Voyo is popular.

Free video: YouTube

YouTube is a huge library of videos on anything, from guides through music to entertainment. It is free with ads, or with a YouTube Premium subscription without ads.

Games: where they are bought and played

  • On a computer, games are bought mainly through Steam, or Epic Games Store or GOG.
  • On consoles, the stores are PlayStation Store, Xbox and Nintendo eShop.

Gaming subscriptions and playing in the cloud

  • Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus are subscriptions where for a monthly fee you play from a large library of games.
  • Cloud gaming (for example GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud) lets you play demanding games even on a weaker device, because the game runs on a remote server and only the picture comes to you.

Live broadcasts: Twitch

Twitch and YouTube Live are for watching players and creators live. You can watch someone play or broadcast and talk with them in the chat.

What to watch out for

This is appreciated especially by seniors and parents:

  • Monthly payments add up. Five small subscriptions are suddenly a decent sum, keep track.
  • A subscription can be cancelled, but you have to remember it, otherwise it renews automatically.
  • Parental controls and a child account protect children from unsuitable content and accidental purchases.
  • Beware of scams. Fake emails about a “subscription expiring” are a common scam, never enter payment through them.

How to start

Choose a service based on what you enjoy, most offer a free trial and can be cancelled at any time. You do not need everything at once, feel free to switch based on what you are watching or playing.

Cannot decide or set up a platform safely? Get in touch, we will gladly advise and help with the setup and parental controls.

This article is part of our Software and system overview.